Diagnostic and therapeutic devices

Abstract

This invention provides a medical device, control method, and program that reduce the risk of contact infection without the operator having to move the microscope by hand. [Solution] A dental treatment device 1 comprises a treatment chair 220 on which a patient is placed, a microscope 100 for observing the oral cavity of a patient placed on the treatment chair 220, a unit control unit 210a for controlling the height or posture of the treatment chair 220 and the position of the microscope 100 relative to the patient, and a foot controller 214 connected to the unit control unit 210a and having multiple operating parts for the operator to operate the treatment chair 220 with their feet. The foot controller 214 can be configured to assign the operation of the microscope 100 to some of its multiple operating parts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a medical device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in the field of dental medicine, when performing root canal treatment or the like, teeth are observed and treated using a microscope. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-052718 (Patent Document 1) describes a medical table with a microscope. In a medical table with a microscope, the microscope is supported by a support arm disposed in the vicinity of the medical table, and an operator can perform precise medical treatment while observing teeth with the microscope.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, while a microscope can precisely observe teeth at a high magnification, if an operator directly moves the microscope supported by the support arm by hand, the observed field of view moves significantly, making fine adjustment difficult. In addition, there is a problem that the risk of contact infection increases when an operator directly touches the microscope during medical treatment.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a medical device capable of reducing the risk of contact infection without an operator directly moving the microscope by hand.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present disclosure relates to a dental treatment apparatus comprising: a treatment chair on which a patient is placed; a microscope for observing the oral cavity of the patient placed on the treatment chair; dental instruments; a control device for controlling the operation of the instruments and the microscope; and a foot controller connected to the control device, having a plurality of operating parts including foot controls for the instruments and the microscope. When certain conditions are met, the control device assigns the operation of the microscope's directional keys to the operation of at least three-dimensional round buttons among the plurality of operating parts other than those to which the operation of the instruments is assigned. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, the control device can control the position of the microscope relative to the patient, and by assigning microscope operation to some of the multiple control units of the foot controller, the operator can move the field of view during treatment without directly moving the microscope by hand, thereby reducing the risk of contact infection. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the medical device in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure schematically shows the microscope in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical device in the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart illustrating the switching of the operating mode of the medical device in the embodiment. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the assignment of operations in the first operation mode of the foot controller in the embodiment. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates the assignment of operations in the second operation mode of the foot controller in the embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the switching of display images in the medical device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates how operation mode information is superimposed onto a display image. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the figures. <Embodiment> First, the configuration of the medical device in the embodiment of this disclosure will be described. In this embodiment, a dental medical device will be described as an example of a medical device.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the medical device in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the medical device 1 according to the embodiment consists of a microscope 100 and a dental treatment unit 200.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the dental treatment unit 200 consists of an instrument stand 210 equipped with dental instruments 213 (213a~213e) and a treatment chair 220 on which the patient, who is the subject of treatment, is placed and treatment is performed.

[0012] The instrument stand 210 is equipped with an instrument holder 212 on the front side of a table 211 that is rotatably attached to the treatment chair 220 via an arm. The instrument holder 212 is detachably fitted with medical instruments 213 (213a~213e), which consist of cutting tools such as air turbine handpieces and micromotor handpieces, scalers, three-way syringes, and vacuum syringes. The instrument stand 210 also has a monitor 216 attached. The monitor 216 may be mounted on a treatment stand pole 230, the wall of the room where the treatment chair 220 is installed, or other locations besides the instrument stand 210. Furthermore, the monitor 216 is not limited to one unit.

[0013] Although not shown in the diagram, the medical instrument 213 is connected to a water supply source, an air supply source, and an air suction unit. The medical instrument 213 is driven by the operator operating the foot controller 214 or the touch panel 215.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the examination table 220 on which the patient lies includes a seat sheet that is vertically movably placed on a base 221, a tiltable backrest sheet 223 connected to the rear of the seat sheet, and a tiltable headrest 224 connected to the upper end of the backrest sheet 223. The base 221, the backrest sheet 223, and the headrest 224 are driven by a driving unit such as a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor. The control of these driving units is performed by a unit control unit 210a (see FIG. 3) built into the instrument table 210 or the backrest sheet 223. The unit control unit 210a can control the driving related to the medical instrument 213 in addition to the examination table 220.

[0015] Based on the foot operation of the foot controller 214 by the operator, the unit control unit 210a changes the positions of the base 221, the backrest sheet 223, and the headrest 224 to control the height and posture of the examination table 220. The examination table 220 is not limited to a configuration in which all the positions of the base 221, the backrest sheet 223, and the headrest 224 can be changed, and a configuration in which only the position of the base 221 can be changed or a configuration in which only the position of the backrest sheet 223 can be changed may be used. Therefore, the unit control unit 210a only needs to be able to control the height or posture of the examination table 220 based on the operation of the foot controller 214 by the operator.

[0016] In addition, a spitton 225 and a treatment stand pole 230 are attached to the examination table 220. The treatment stand pole 230 includes an arm 231 that branches from the middle and protrudes rotatably, and a support arm 300 at the upper end. An operator 232 is provided at the tip of the arm 231. A microscope 100 is provided at the tip of the support arm 300. The spitton 225 includes a water supply tap for supplying water when rinsing the oral cavity and a saliva ejector.

[0017] The microscope 100 is supported by a position-adjustable support arm 300. The support arm 300 is provided rotatably with respect to the upper end of a treatment stand pole 230 attached to the examination table 220. The support arm 300 is a multi-joint arm type in which a plurality of arms 301 are connected by a plurality of joint portions 301a so that each of the arms 301 can be moved, and the microscope 100 attached to the tip of the arm 301 can be moved to a desired position.

[0018] Although the support arm 300 has been described as being provided on the treatment stand pole 230 attached to the examination table 220, it may be provided on a pole extending from the ceiling, wall, or floor, or a pole attached to a stand separate from the examination table 220.

[0019] The microscope 100 will be described below as being configured to magnify and observe the inside of a patient's oral cavity using a camera, but it may also be configured with only optical components such as lenses (so-called optical microscope). FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the microscope in the embodiment. The microscope 100 includes a housing 10 attached to the tip of the arm 301, a display 11 detachable from the housing 10, a movable part 12 whose position can be changed with respect to the housing 10, a handle 13 provided on the housing 10, and cameras 14L, 14R and a distance measuring sensor 15 attached to the movable part 12.

[0020] The housing 10 is connected to an arm 302 extending from a joint portion 301a provided at the tip of the arm 301. By an operator gripping the handle 13 provided on the housing 10 and moving the housing 10, the microscope 100 is moved to a desired position.

[0021] However, when the microscope 100 is used to observe the inside of a patient's mouth at high magnification for precise observation of teeth, if the operator tries to fine-tune the field of view by gripping the handle 13, the field of view moves too much, making fine adjustment impossible. Therefore, cameras 14L and 14R are provided on a movable part 12 that can be moved relative to the housing 10. As will be described later, the movable part 12 is equipped with a stepping motor, which allows its position to be changed relative to the housing 10. As a result, the microscope 100 can fine-tune the field of view by changing the position of the movable part 12 relative to the housing 10.

[0022] Changing the position of the movable part 12 relative to the housing 10 requires some operation by the operator. However, if the operator operates the touch panel 215 or the like to change the position of the movable part 12 during treatment, the risk of contact infection increases. Therefore, in the medical device 1 according to this embodiment, the position of the movable part 12 can be changed using the foot controller 214 when certain conditions are met, as will be described later. As a result, in the medical device 1 according to this embodiment, the operator can fine-tune the field of view during treatment without directly touching the microscope 100 and the touch panel 215 or the like with their hands, thereby reducing the risk of contact infection.

[0023] Cameras 14L and 14R are stereo cameras and can capture three-dimensional images of the patient's oral cavity. The camera of the microscope 100 is not limited to a stereo camera; a single camera may capture three-dimensional images of the patient's oral cavity using principles such as trigonometry or focusing. Furthermore, the camera of the microscope 100 is not limited to three-dimensional images; it may be configured to switch between three-dimensional and two-dimensional images, or to capture only two-dimensional images. The following description assumes that the microscope 100 has two cameras, 14L and 14R, but it may have three or more cameras.

[0024] The display 11 displays three-dimensional images captured by cameras 14L and 14R. When the display 11 is attached to the housing 10, it functions as the eyepiece of the microscope 100, but when it is removed from the housing 10, it functions as a goggle-type device (head-mounted display (HMD)) that can be worn on the operator's head. The display 11 may also be a device such as a glasses-type head-up display (HUD).

[0025] The distance measuring sensor 15 is a sensor that measures the distance between the patient, who is placed on the examination table 220, and the microscope 100. The distance measuring sensor 15 is, for example, a laser distance measuring sensor having a light-emitting element that irradiates the patient with laser light and a light-receiving element that receives the laser light reflected by the patient. The distance measuring sensor 15 is not limited to a laser distance measuring sensor, but may also be an ultrasonic distance measuring sensor or a microwave distance measuring sensor. The distance measuring sensor 15 is just one example, and any distance measuring means that has the function of measuring the distance between the patient and the microscope 100 may be used. For example, the distance between the patient and the microscope 100 may be measured with a stereo camera, the distance between the patient and the microscope 100 may be determined from the angle of the arm 301, or the distance between the patient and the microscope 100 may be determined from the angle of the arm 301, the position of the base 221 and the position of the back plate sheet 223.

[0026] Next, the control of the microscope 100 by the medical device 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the medical device 1 in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the microscope 100 includes an image processing unit 12a that processes images captured by cameras 14L and 14R, a camera control unit 12b that controls the distance between cameras 14L and 14R and the angle of each camera, and a stepping motor 12c that changes the position of cameras 14L and 14R.

[0027] Furthermore, the microscope 100 includes a stage control unit 10a for controlling the position of the movable part 12, a stepping motor 10b for changing the position of the movable part 12 in the X-axis direction, a stepping motor 10c for changing the position in the Y-axis direction, a stepping motor 10d for changing the position in the Z-axis direction, and a stepping motor 10e for changing the position in the θ-axis direction. The microscope 100 also includes a display 11 and a distance measuring sensor 15.

[0028] The image processing unit 12a, camera control unit 12b, and stage control unit 10a are connected to the unit control unit 210a of the dental treatment unit 200 using CAN (Controller Area Network) communication. Therefore, the unit control unit 210a transmits control signals to the image processing unit 12a, camera control unit 12b, and stage control unit 10a based on operation signals from the user operation unit 250. Specifically, when the image processing unit 12a receives a control signal from the unit control unit 210a requesting an image, it outputs the image captured by cameras 14L and 14R to the display 11. Also, when the image processing unit 12a receives a control signal from the unit control unit 210a requesting a zoom, it outputs a ZOOM request to cameras 14L and 14R. In response to the ZOOM request, cameras 14L and 14R transmit the enlarged image to the image processing unit 12a.

[0029] The camera control unit 12b drives the stepping motor 12c based on a control signal from the unit control unit 210a to change the positions of cameras 14L and 14R. The camera control unit 12b adjusts the positions of cameras 14L and 14R so that they can capture appropriate three-dimensional images as a stereo camera. The stage control unit 10a drives the stepping motors 10b to 10e based on a control signal from the unit control unit 210a to change the position of the movable part 12. By changing the position of the movable part 12, the image processing unit 12a can move the field of view being observed and obtain a three-dimensional image of the patient's oral cavity at a desired position.

[0030] The dental treatment unit 200 includes, in addition to the unit control unit 210a, a monitor 216, a user operation unit 250, and an opera light control unit 15a. The monitor 216 is composed of a flat panel display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electroluminescence) display. The monitor 216 is also capable of switching between displaying two-dimensional images and three-dimensional images based on image data transmitted from the image processing unit 12a. Of course, the dental treatment unit 200 may also be provided with separate monitors: a monitor 216a for three-dimensional image display and a monitor 216b for two-dimensional image display.

[0031] The user control unit 250 includes, for example, a foot controller 214 and a touch panel 215. The foot controller 214 receives commands to drive the examination table 220 and medical instruments 213 via foot operation by the operator, and also receives commands to drive the microscope 100, which will be described later. The foot controller 214 is connected to the unit control unit 210a via the foot controller control unit 214A. The foot controller control unit 214A generates operation signals based on the operator's foot operation using the foot controller 214 and transmits them to the unit control unit 210a.

[0032] The touch panel 215 is located on a display unit on the instrument stand 210, and accepts operations to drive the treatment table 220 and treatment instruments 213 by touching the button images displayed on the display unit. The touch panel 215 is connected to the unit control unit 210a via the touch panel control unit 215a. The touch panel control unit 215a generates operation signals based on the operator's touch operation on the touch panel 215 and transmits them to the unit control unit 210a.

[0033] The Operalight Control Unit 15a transmits distance data between the microscope 100, which is mounted on the examination table 220, and the patient to the Unit Control Unit 210a based on the output signal from the distance measuring sensor 15. The Operalight Control Unit 15a also turns the Operalight 232 shown in Figure 1 on or off according to the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor 15.

[0034] The unit control unit 210a includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The CPU comprehensively controls the entire medical device 1 by executing operating programs stored in ROM, etc. ROM stores programs and other data executed by the CPU. RAM serves as a workspace for the CPU when executing programs and temporarily stores programs and data used when executing programs. The foot controller control unit 214A, touch panel control unit 215a, and opera light control unit 15a may be implemented as one function of the CPU of the unit control unit 210a. Of course, the foot controller control unit 214A, touch panel control unit 215a, and opera light control unit 15a may be composed of at least one semiconductor integrated circuit such as a processor, at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one DSP (Digital Signal Processor), at least one FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and / or other circuits having arithmetic functions.

[0035] Furthermore, the image processing unit 12a, camera control unit 12b, and stage control unit 10a are comprised of at least one semiconductor integrated circuit such as a processor, at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one DSP, at least one FPGA, and / or other circuits having computational functions. Of course, the image processing unit 12a, camera control unit 12b, and stage control unit 10a may also be implemented as one of the functions of the CPU of the unit control unit 210a.

[0036] [Switching operation modes] Next, the switching of the operating mode of the foot controller 214 will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 4 is a flowchart for explaining the switching of the operating mode of the medical device 1 in the embodiment. First, the unit control unit 210a determines whether or not it has received an operation of the operating mode switching button on the touch panel 215 (step S101). Specifically, the touch panel 215 has a switching button that switches between a first operating mode in which the foot controller 214 is used to operate the normal medical chair 220, and a second operating mode in which the foot controller 214 is used to operate the microscope 100. Note that the switching button is just one example and is not limited to a switching button as long as it is a switching means that has the function of switching the operating mode. In addition, if the unit control unit 210a can determine from the position of the backrest sheet 223 that the patient is receiving treatment in a standing position, it may restrict the operation of the switching button to prevent accidental switching to the second operating mode.

[0037] If the toggle button is not pressed (NO in step S101), the unit control unit 210a determines whether the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient, as measured by the distance sensor 15, is less than or equal to a predetermined distance (for example, 30 cm) (step S102). Specifically, the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient is less than or equal to a predetermined distance when the operator grasps the handle 13 and moves the microscope 100 so that the inside of the patient's mouth can be observed under magnification with the microscope 100.

[0038] If the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient is longer than a predetermined distance (NO in step S102), the unit control unit 210a determines whether the control of the treatment chair 220 is operating in slow mode (step S103). Specifically, the control of the treatment chair 220 has a normal mode in which the base 221, backrest sheet 223, and headrest 224 are moved at a normal speed (first speed) when there is no patient on the treatment chair 220, and a slow mode in which the base 221, backrest sheet 223, and headrest 224 are moved at a slower speed than the normal speed (second speed) when there is a patient on the treatment chair 220. Therefore, if the control of the treatment chair 220 is operating in slow mode, it means that treatment is in progress and there is a possibility of observing the inside of the patient's mouth under magnification with the microscope 100.

[0039] If the control of the examination chair 220 is not operating in slow mode (NO in step S103), the unit control unit 210a sets the foot controller 214 to a first operation mode in which the operation of the examination chair 220 is assigned to multiple control units. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the assignment of operations in the first operation mode of the foot controller 214 in this embodiment. The foot controller 214 has seven control units: one button, four levers, and two pedals. In the first operation mode, the following operations are assigned to each of the seven control units.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, the foot controller 214 has the button in the middle assigned as the water supply switch 214a for the handpiece, the forward / backward lever on the right assigned as the selector lever 214b for switching between the micromotor and ultrasonic scaler modes, and the up / down lever on the right assigned as the selector lever 214c for switching the Operate ON / OFF. Furthermore, the foot controller 214 has the pedal on the right assigned as the micromotor handpiece pedal 214d for changing the rotation speed of the micromotor, and the pedal on the left assigned as the air turbine handpiece pedal 214e for changing the rotation speed of the air turbine. In addition, the foot controller 214 has the up / down lever on the left assigned as the lifting lever 214f ​​for raising and lowering the base 221, and the forward / backward lever on the left assigned as the raising / lowering lever 214g for raising and lowering the back plate sheet 223. Note that the operations assigned to each control unit in the first operation mode shown in Figure 5 are just examples, and the user can arbitrarily set the operations assigned to each control unit.

[0041] In the first operating mode, the foot controller 214 has multiple control units assigned to operate the examination chair 220 and the medical instruments 213, but no operation of the microscope 100 is assigned. In other words, if the unit control unit 210a determines that none of the conditions from step S101 to step S103 are met (NO in all steps S101 to S103), it determines that the operator will not use the microscope 100 and does not assign the operation of the microscope 100 to the control unit of the foot controller 214.

[0042] On the other hand, if any one of the conditions from step S101 to step S103 is met (YES for any one of steps S101 to S103), the unit control unit 210a sets a second operating mode as the operating mode to be set on the foot controller 214, in which the operation of the microscope 100 is assigned to multiple control units. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the assignment of operations in the second operating mode of the foot controller 214 in this embodiment. In the second operating mode, the following operations are assigned to each of the seven control units.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, the foot controller 214 has a button in the middle that is assigned as a directional pad 214x (D-pad) for moving the movable part 12 of the microscope 100, and the up and down lever on the right is assigned as a light intensity adjustment lever 214y for adjusting the light intensity of the microscope 100. Furthermore, the up and down lever on the left side of the foot controller 214 is assigned as a zoom switch 214z for zooming in and out of the microscope 100, and the forward and backward lever on the left side is assigned as a focus adjustment lever 214w for adjusting the focus of the microscope 100. Note that the operations of the microscope 100 assigned to each control unit in the second operation mode shown in Figure 6 are just examples, and the user can arbitrarily set the operations of the microscope 100 to be assigned to each control unit.

[0044] In the foot controller 214 set to the second operating mode shown in Figure 6, the same operations as in the first operating mode are assigned to the operating section where the operation of the medical instrument 213 is assigned. In other words, even in the second operating mode, the forward / backward lever on the right side of the foot controller 214 is assigned as a switch lever 214b to switch between the micromotor and ultrasonic scaler modes. Furthermore, even in the second operating mode, the pedal on the right side of the foot controller 214 is assigned as a micromotor handpiece pedal 214d to change the rotation speed of the micromotor, and the pedal on the left side is assigned as an air turbine handpiece pedal 214e to change the rotation speed of the air turbine. In the foot controller 214 shown in Figure 6, the operation of the microscope 100 is assigned only to the operating section indicated by hatching. Therefore, regardless of the change in operating mode, the operator can operate the medical instrument 213 with the same foot operation on the foot controller 214, preventing erroneous operation.

[0045] If, in the first operating mode, operations related to the medical instrument 213 are assigned to some of the operating parts (for example, the selector lever 214b, the micromotor handpiece pedal 214d, and the air turbine handpiece pedal 214e), the unit control unit 210a assigns operations related to the microscope 100 to some or all of the operating parts other than those assigned to operations related to the medical instrument 213 in the second operating mode. As a result, even when the operating mode is changed, the medical device 1 can safely treat patients without the risk of the operator accidentally operating the medical instrument 213.

[0046] In the flowchart shown in Figure 4, it was explained that if any one of the conditions from steps S101 to S103 is met (YES for any one of steps S101 to S103), the unit control unit 210a sets the operation mode to the foot controller 214 to the second operation mode. However, the unit control unit 210a may simply check any one of the conditions from steps S101 to S103. Furthermore, the unit control unit 210a may set the operation mode to the foot controller 214 to the second operation mode if multiple conditions from steps S101 to S103 are met. Moreover, the conditions from steps S101 to S103 are just examples, and the unit control unit 210a may set the operation mode to the foot controller 214 to the second operation mode based on other conditions.

[0047] Next, the unit control unit 210a determines whether or not a stop operation has been received (step S106). If a stop operation has not been received (NO in step S106), the unit control unit 210a returns to step S101. On the other hand, if a stop operation has been received (YES in step S106), the unit control unit 210a terminates the operation mode switching process.

[0048] The process described above can also be described as a control method for the medical device 1 as follows. The control method for the medical device 1 includes the steps of setting a first operating mode (step S104) in which the operation of the medical chair 220 is assigned to multiple operating units as an operating mode that can be set on the foot controller 214; determining whether predetermined conditions are met (steps S101 to S103); and, if it is determined that predetermined conditions are met, switching the setting of the foot controller 214 from the first operating mode to a second operating mode in which the operation of the microscope 100 is assigned to some of the multiple operating units (step S105).

[0049] The control method for the medical device 1 can also be described as the processing of a program executed by the unit control unit 210a of the medical device 1. The program executed by the unit control unit 210a of the medical device 1 includes the steps of: setting a first operation mode in which the operation of the medical chair 220 is assigned to multiple operation units as an operation mode that can be set on the foot controller 214 (step S104); determining whether or not predetermined conditions are met (steps S101 to S103); and, if it is determined that the predetermined conditions are met, switching the setting of the foot controller 214 from the first operation mode to a second operation mode in which the operation of the microscope 100 is assigned to some of the multiple operation units (step S105).

[0050] [Switch displayed image] Next, the switching of the display image of the microscope 100 will be explained using a flowchart. Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the switching of the display image of the medical device 1 in this embodiment. First, as a premise, the microscope 100 is equipped with a stereo camera (cameras 14L, 14R) and can capture a three-dimensional image of the patient's oral cavity. However, when viewing the three-dimensional image on the monitor 216, it is necessary to wear special three-dimensional glasses, and without these glasses, the image appears doubled and is difficult to see. Therefore, the unit control unit 210a switches whether the image output from the image processing unit 12a is a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image, depending on the monitor's status. When the output image is a two-dimensional image, the image processing unit 12a outputs an image from either camera 14L or 14R.

[0051] When the operator is viewing the image displayed by the microscope 100 on the display 11, the image processing unit 12a outputs a 3D image of the patient's oral cavity to the display 11. However, when showing the patient the image of the oral cavity without 3D glasses on the monitor 216, the image processing unit 12a outputs a 2D image of the patient's oral cavity to the monitor 216. Furthermore, when outputting an image to the 3D image display monitor 216a, the image processing unit 12a outputs a 3D image to the monitor 216a, and when outputting an image to the 2D image display monitor 216b, the image processing unit 12a outputs a 2D image to the monitor 216b.

[0052] The flowchart shown in Figure 7 describes the process of switching the displayed image on a display 11 and monitor 216 that can display two-dimensional and three-dimensional images. First, the unit control unit 210a determines whether or not it has received an operation on the two-dimensional image display switching button on the touch panel 215 (step S201). Specifically, the touch panel 215 has a switching button that switches between displaying a two-dimensional image or a three-dimensional image of the microscope 100.

[0053] If the toggle button is not pressed (NO in step S201), the unit control unit 210a instructs the image processing unit 12a to output the captured image as a 3D image to the display 11 or monitor 216, and displays the 3D image on the display 11 or monitor 216 (step S202). If the toggle button is pressed (YES in step S201), the unit control unit 210a instructs the image processing unit 12a to output the captured image as a 2D image to the display 11 or monitor 216, and displays the 2D image on the display 11 or monitor 216 (step S203).

[0054] Furthermore, the unit control unit 210a determines whether or not it has received an operation on the operation mode display switching button on the touch panel 215 (step S204). Specifically, the touch panel 215 has a switching button that switches whether or not to superimpose the operation mode information set on the foot controller 214 onto the display image of the microscope 100.

[0055] If the toggle button is pressed (YES in step S204), the unit control unit 210a overlays information about the operating mode set on the foot controller 214 onto the display image of the microscope 100 (step S205). Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the display of operating mode information overlaid on the display image. In Figure 8, a three-dimensional image of the patient's oral cavity is displayed on the display screen of the display 11, and the display screen 11A showing the operating mode information is overlaid on the far right. The display screen 11A shows that the currently set operating mode of the foot controller 214 is "second operating mode," and also shows the operations assigned to the control unit. In the example shown in Figure 8, the display screen 11A shows that XY stage operation is assigned to the directional keys and focus adjustment is assigned to the front / back lever on the left side.

[0056] In this way, by superimposing the information of the operating mode set on the foot controller 214 onto the display image of the microscope 100, the operator can confirm the currently set operating mode of the foot controller 214 and easily understand the operations assigned to the control unit, thereby preventing erroneous operation. Note that the superimposed display of operating mode information shown in Figure 8 is just one example; it could also be a superimposed display showing the operations assigned to the image of the foot controller 214.

[0057] Returning to Figure 7, the unit control unit 210a determines whether or not a stop operation has been received (step S206). If a stop operation has not been received (NO in step S206), the unit control unit 210a returns to step S201. On the other hand, if a stop operation has been received (YES in step S206), the unit control unit 210a terminates the display image switching process.

[0058] <Variation> (1) The microscope 100 may be equipped with a light. If the microscope 100 is equipped with a light, the unit control unit 210a turns on the light of the microscope 100 and turns off the opera light 232 when the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient, as measured by the distance measuring sensor 15, is less than or equal to a predetermined distance. Conversely, if the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient, as measured by the distance measuring sensor 15, is greater than a predetermined distance, the unit control unit 210a turns off the light of the microscope 100 and turns on the opera light 232. This allows the operator to switch between the microscope 100's light and the opera light 232 without having to operate them. If the microscope 100 is equipped with a light, the light intensity and illumination field of the microscope 100 may be automatically changed according to the distance between the microscope 100 and the patient, as measured by the distance measuring sensor 15.

[0059] (2) Information such as centrifugal and mesial directions may be superimposed on the display image of the microscope 100. By superimposing information on the mesial and centrifugal directions on the display image of the microscope 100, the operator can easily understand which direction to move the microscope 100. Furthermore, a sensor that detects the direction of rotation (for example, a potentiometer, a gyro sensor, etc.) may be incorporated into the microscope 100, and the direction of the display image of the microscope 100 may be rotated based on the detection result of the sensor. Of course, the direction of the display image of the microscope 100 may also be rotated based on the operator's foot operation using the foot controller 214.

[0060] (3) The conditions described in steps S101 to S103 are for switching the operating mode set on the foot controller 214 to the second operating mode, but the operation of the touchless sensor provided on the op-light 232 may also be used as a condition. The operating mode of the foot controller 214 may be switched to the second operating mode using the touchless sensor used to switch the op-light 232 on and off.

[0061] (4) In the treatment table 220 shown in Figure 1, the treatment stand pole 230 is provided with two arms: an arm 231 on which an operating light 232 is attached, and an arm 301 on which a microscope 100 is attached. By attaching a light to the microscope 100, the treatment table 220 may be provided with only the arm 301 on which the microscope 100 is attached, without the operating light 232. Reducing the number of arms to one leads to space saving of the treatment table 220, improved operability, and cost reduction.

[0062] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of this disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1 Dental equipment, 10 Housing, 10a Stage control unit, 10b~10e,12c Stepping motor, 11 Display, 11A Display screen, 12 Movable part, 12a Image processing unit, 12b Camera control unit, 13 Handle, 14L,14R Camera, 15 Distance sensor, 15a Operative light control unit, 100 Microscope, 200 Dental treatment unit, 210 Instrument stand, 210a Unit control unit, 211 Table, 212 Instrument holder, 213 Dental instruments, 214 Foot controller, 214A Foot controller control unit, 215 Touch panel, 215a Touch panel control unit, 216,216a,216b Monitor, 220 Treatment chair, 221 Base, 223 Backrest seat, 224 Headrest, 225 Spittoon, 230 Treatment stand pole, 231, 301, 302 arms, 232 operal light, 250 user control unit, 300 support arm.

Claims

1. A dental treatment device, A medical examination table on which the patient is placed, A microscope for observing the oral cavity of the patient, placed on the aforementioned examination chair, Dental instruments and A control device that controls the operation of the instrument and controls the microscope, The system comprises a foot controller connected to the control device, which has multiple operating parts including the operation of the instrument and the microscope by the operator with their feet, The control device is A medical device that, when certain conditions are met, assigns the operation of a cross key on the microscope to the operation of at least three-dimensional round buttons among the plurality of operation units other than the operation unit to which the operation of the instrument is assigned.

2. The aforementioned predetermined conditions are: The medical device according to claim 1, comprising any one of the following conditions: an operation is performed to assign an operation related to the microscope to the operation of the round button; the distance between the operator and the microscope becomes less than or equal to a predetermined distance; and the control of the examination table is set to slow mode.

3. The medical device according to claim 1, wherein the foot controller includes a pedal as an operating unit for driving the instrument.

4. The aforementioned microscope, It is supported by a stand pole attached to the examination table, or by an arm whose base end is attached to a pole extending from the ceiling, wall, or floor, and is attached to the tip of the arm and is movable. The medical device according to claim 1, further comprising a camera placed on the treatment chair for magnifying and observing the oral cavity of the patient.

5. The microscope further includes a monitor, The medical device according to claim 4, wherein the monitor displays the image captured by the camera.

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